Fuentes happy to join team "he watched growing up''

Brian Fuentes, the most accomplished closer in Rockies’ history, will become a frequent opponent of Matt Holliday, one of the most feared hitters in Rockies’ history.

“I want to thank the Angels’ organization and owner Arte Moreno for this opportunity. I am looking forward to playing for a team that I watched growing up,” Fuentes said today.

Fuentes will join the Los Angeles Angels on a two-year, $17.5-million deal. The contract also includes a $9 million vesting option if Fuentes finishes 55 games in 2010. Holliday was traded to Oakland in November, setting up enticing American League West matchups between the two former Rockies’ all-stars.
“I don’t know what that is going to be like,” said Fuentes, who will be joining erstwhile Rockies’ Darren Oliver and Justin Speier on the Angels.

Joked Holliday, “I will have to negotiate with him to give me heaters down the middle.”

When the Mets fell out of the picture, signing the Angels’ Francisco Rodriguez, Fuentes identified the Angels as his first choice. He lives in California full-time, and that’s where his extended family resides. The Cardinals were the remaining aggressive suitor, but the Angels put on a full-course press for Fuentes after losing free agent Mark Teixeira to the Yankees.

“What I can say is that Brian Fuentes has been in our sights for sometime. At the July 31 deadline of last year we thought we had chance to acquire him and it didn’t work out,” Angels general manager Tony Reagins said. “We made the decision to pursue him, and he made it known that he wanted to be an Angel. That was a key part of this.”

Because Fuentes is a Type-A free agent, the Rockies will receive two compensatory draft picks, including the Angele’s 33rd pick in the amateur june draft.

Fuentes finished with a flourish last season after taking over the closer’s role from Manuel Corpas. He posted a 2.73 ERA, and watched his strikeouts per inning return to form. Fuentes, 33, leaves as the Rockies’ all-time saves leader.

“They gave me a great opportunity,” Fuentes said. “There are no hard feelings.”

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.